S-(substituted allylic) trithiophosphonate insecticides

ABSTRACT

Compounds and compositions containing them, for insecticidal control, particularly for use as soil and/or foliar insecticides, have the formula ##STR1## in which R 1  is C 1  -C 3  alkyl; 
     R 2  is C 1  -C 6  alkyl, or C 5  -C 6  cycloalkyl; 
     R 3  is hydrogen or C 1  -C 3  alkyl; 
     R 4  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 4  alkyl, phenyl, halogen, or halo-(C 1  -C 4  alkyl); 
     R 5  and R 6  are independently hydrogen, halogen, C 1  -C 4  alkyl, phenyl, or C 2  -C 5  carboalkoxy; or 
     R 3  and R 5  taken together form a trimethylene group; provided that if R 3 , R 5  and R 6  are all hydrogen, R 4  is other than hydrogen.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 600,677, filed Apr. 16, 1984, abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a series of trithiophosphonate insecticides having the formula ##STR2## in which R₁ is C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

R₂ is C₁ -C₆ alkyl or C₅ -C₆ cycloalkyl;

R₃ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

R₄ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, halogen or halo-(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₅ and R₆ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, or C₂ -C₅ carboalkoxy; or

R₃ and R₅ taken together form a trimethylene group; provided that if R₃, R₅ and R₆ are all hydrogen, R₄ is other than hydrogen;

together with insecticidal compositions containing such compounds, and methods for controlling insects.

The term "alkyl" refers to straight- or branched-chain saturated acyclic hydrocarbyl moieties containing the indicated number of carbon atoms inclusive, and includes groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, and the various butyl, amyl, and hexyl groups. The terms "halogen" or "halo" include chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine, preferably chlorine, fluorine and bromine. The term "carboalkoxy" includes such groups containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, including carbomethoxy, carboethoxy and various carbopropoxy and carbobutoxy groups, including straight- and branched-chain groups of these types. When R₃ and R₅ are taken together to form a trimethylene group, the moiety attached to the sulfur atom is a cyclohexenyl or substituted cyclohexenyl group.

For R₁, methyl and ethyl are preferred.

The group R₂ is preferably branched C₃ -C₆ alkyl or C₅ -C₆ cycloalkyl.

The moiety R₃ is preferably hydrogen.

The group R₄ is preferably C₁ -C₄ alkyl, halogen, phenyl or hydrogen (unless R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen).

One preferred sub-generic class of the compounds claimed herein has the formula ##STR3## in which R₁, R₂ and R₄ are as previously defined except that since R₃, R₅ and R₆ are all hydrogen, R₄ is not hydrogen in this sub-generic class.

In this subgeneric class, R₁ is preferably methyl or ethyl; R₂ is preferably C₄ -C₆ branched alkyl or C₅ -C₆ cycloalkyl, most preferably, -doubly branched C₄ -C₆ alkyl, e.g., tertiary butyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, etc.; and R₄ is preferably C₁ -C₄ alkyl, halogen or phenyl, most preferably C₁ -C₃ alkyl or halogen.

Another preferred sub-generic class of compounds has the formula ##STR4## in which R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are as previously defined. Here R₄ may be hydrogen, unless R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.

In this subgeneric class, R₁ is again preferably methyl or ethyl; R₂ is preferably C₄ -C₆ branched alkyl; R₃ is preferably hydrogen; R₄ is preferably hydrogen; and R₅ and R₆ are preferably C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, halogen or hydrogen, provided that R₅ and R₆ are not both hydrogen.

The term "insects" as used herein refers to the broad and commonly understood usage rather than to those creatures which in the strict biological sense are classified as insects, and includes, in addition to those belonging to the class insecta, some classes of acarids such as spiders, mites, ticks, and the like, particularly mites.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared by a two-step process.

In the first step the appropriate alkyl thionophosphine sulfide is reacted with two equivalents of a desired mercaptan in the presence of a base to produce a thioic acid salt, according to the equation: ##STR5##

In the second step, the thioic acid salt is reacted with an appropriate allylic halide: ##STR6## wherein R₁ -R₆ are as defined above, and X stands for halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, or alkyl- or arylsulfonate.

The starting material sulfides for Reaction 1 may be obtained for instance by the procedure described in P. E. Newallis et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1962, Vol. 27, p. 3829.

Reaction 1 is advantageously carried out at a temperature of from about -40° C. to about 150° C., preferably from about 0° to about 70° C., in an organic solvent in the presence of a base, preferably a tertiary amine. Suitable solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene or toluene, ethers such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, and ketones such as acetone. Suitable tertiary amines include triethylamine, dimethylaniline, diethylaniline, and pyridine. Inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide could be used in this step, but are less desirable as the resulting salts are less soluble in the solvents utilized. As the reaction is exothermic, the base is preferably added dropwise when operating on the laboratory scale. The product may be recovered by evaporating or distilling off the solvent.

Reaction 2 is conducted in an organic solvent such as that utilized in the first reaction, at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 130° C., preferably from about 20° to about 70° C. The allylic halide may be either a chloride or bromide. The product may be recovered by removing the precipitated salt, followed by evaporating or distilling off the solvent, and purification by either chromatography or distillation.

The following represent examples of the preparation of compounds of this invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of S-t-Butyl S-(2-Methyl-1-propen-3-yl)Ethylphosphonotrithioate (Compound No. 2 herein)

(a) To a slurry of 20.17 grams (g) (0.08 mole) of ethylthionophospine sulfide in 125 milliliters (ml) of tetrahydrofuran, maintained under nitrogen and at room temperature was added 19.23 ml (15.37 g, 0.17 mole) of 2-methyl-2-propanethiol. To the resultant solution was added 23.8 ml (17.24 g, 0.1707mole) of triethylamine dropwise and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 5 hours. After cooling, the mixture was evaporated to produce 40.24 g (79% of theoretical yield) of a viscous oil, the triethylamine salt of S-t-butyl ethylphosphonotrithioic acid.

(b) To a solution of 2.5 g (0.008 mole) of triethylamine salt obtained in step (a), in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, maintained under nitrogen and at room temperature, was added dropwise a solution of 0.80 g (90% technical, 0.008 mole) of 3-chloro-2-methylpropene in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 8 hours. After cooling, 20 ml of water was added and the mixture was extracted with ether (3×20 ml). The ethereal layers were combined and washed with 20 ml of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate and 20 ml of saturated aqueous sodium chloride. The ethereal solution was dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated to leave an oil. Purification was effected by a preparative, centrifugally accelerated, thin-layer (4 mm, silica gel) chromatograph, with 98:2 hexane-acetone as eluent to afford 1.42 g (67% of theoretical yield) of an oil, the title compound. The structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of S-t-Butyl S-(2-Bromo-1-propen-3-yl)Ethylphosphoronotrithioate (Compound No. 9 herein)

Following the procedure of Example 1, step (b), the title compound (40% of theoretical yield) was prepared from the triethylamine salt of S-t-Butyl ethylphosphonotrithioic acid [Example 1, step (a)] and 2,3-dibromo-1-propene. The structure was confirmed by spectroscopy as above.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of S-n-Propyl S-(2-Methyl-1-propen-3-yl)Ethylphosphonotrithioate (Compound No. 8 herein)

Following the procedure of Example 1, step (b), the title compound (68% of theoretical yield) was obtained from the triethylamine salt of S-n-propyl ethylphosphonotrithioic acid [prepared from ethylthionophosphine sulfide, 1-propanethiol, and triethylamine by the procedure shown in Example 1, step (a)] and 3-chloro-2-methylpropene. The structure was confirmed by spectroscopy as above.

The following Table I depicts representative compounds of this invention, which may be prepared by the process previously described. Structures of these compounds were confirmed by analysis as above.

With the exception of Compounds 42 and 43, the cis/trans isomerism of the compounds was not determined. The allocation of moieties between designations R₅ and R₆ has therefore been made arbitrarily; if the compound had but a single substituent at the 3-carbon atom, the substituent is listed in the R₆ column. The claims of this application are consequently intended to include both cis- and trans-isomers of the claimed compounds, as well as isomeric mixtures.

Similarly, when R₃ is alkyl the compounds may exist as optical isomers or as a racemic mixture due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon atom. Again, the claims are intended to cover the individual optical isomers as well as the racemic mixtures.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR7##                                                                      Cmpd.                                                                          No. R.sub.1                                                                             R.sub.2 R.sub.3                                                                            R.sub.4                                                                             R.sub.5                                                                             R.sub.6                                                                              n.sub.D.sup.30                            __________________________________________________________________________      1  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    CH.sub.3                                                                            CH.sub.3                                                                             1.5760                                     2  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     1.5740                                     3  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    Cl    1.5920                                     4  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    COOCH.sub.3                                                                          1.5764                                     5  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   1.5587                                     6  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    CH.sub.3                                                                             1.5718                                     7  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     1.5762                                     8  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     1.5767                                     9  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Br   H    H     1.5997                                    10  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      [cyclohexenyl]      1.5904                                    11  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                         H    H     1.5911                                    12  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    CH.sub.3                                                                             1.5478                                    13  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   H    H     viscous oil                               14  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    H     1.5845                                    15  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   H    H     yellow oil                                16  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    H    H    H     yellow oil                                17  CH.sub.3                                                                            s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     viscous oil                               18  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     viscous oil                               19  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                      CH.sub.3                                                                           H    H    H     yellow oil                                20  CH.sub.3                                                                            s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    H    H    H     yellow oil                                21  CH.sub.3                                                                            s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      CH.sub.3                                                                           H    H    CH.sub.3                                                                             yellow oil                                22  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    Cl    yellow oil                                23  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     neopentyl                                                                              H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     clear oil                                 24  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-c.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      clear oil                                 25  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                      yellow oil                                26  CH.sub.3                                                                            s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    H     clear oil                                 27  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    H     clear oil                                 28  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    CH.sub.3                                                                             yellow oil                                29  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    CH.sub.3                                                                             1.5850                                    30  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     1,2-dimethyl-                                                                          H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     viscous oil                                        propyl                                                                31  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     CH.sub.3                                                                               H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     yellow oil                                32  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     clear oil                                 33  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     clear oil                                 34  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    Cl    1.5879                                    35  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    Cl    1.5911                                    36  i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     clear oil                                 37  i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    H     clear oil                                 38  i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                      clear oil                                 39  n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     clear oil                                 40  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   Cl   Cl    1.5830                                    41  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   Cl   Cl    1.5847                                    42  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   H*    clear oil                                 43  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 **                                                                 clear oil                                 44  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     cyclohexyl                                                                             H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     clear oil                                 45  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     cyclopentyl                                                                            H   Cl   H    H     clear oil                                 46  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    CH.sub.3                                                                            Cl    clear oil                                 47  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     1,2-dimethyl-                                                                          H   i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   H    H     1.5779                                             propyl                                                                48  CH.sub.3                                                                            s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   H    H     1.5813                                    49  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                   H    H     1.5786                                    50  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     cyclopentyl                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     1.5788                                    51  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     H    H     1.5590                                    52  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    H     1.5862                                    53  CH.sub.3                                                                            1,1-dimethyl-                                                                          H   Cl   H    H     1.5891                                             propyl                                                                54  CH.sub.3                                                                            1,1-dimethyl-                                                                          H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     1.5774                                             propyl                                                                55  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     1,1-dimethyl-                                                                          H   Cl   H    H     1.5870                                             propyl                                                                56  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     1,1-dimethyl-                                                                          H   CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H     1.5740                                             propyl                                                                57  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    Cl    1.5968                                    58  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                      1.6322                                    59  CH.sub.3                                                                            s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    H    C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                      1.6298                                    60  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    Cl   Cl    1.5784                                    61  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     2-methylbutyl                                                                          H   H    Cl   Cl    1.5780                                    62  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   H    Cl   Cl    1.6001                                    63  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                     H    H     1.6103                                    64  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   F    H    H     1.5702                                    65  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   Cl   H    H     1.5792                                    66  CH.sub.3                                                                            t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                      H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                     H    H     1.6156                                    __________________________________________________________________________

Insecticidal Evaluation Tests

The compounds in Table I above were tested for insecticidal activity using the following testing procedures. LD-50 values, based on the results of these tests, and/or calculated according to dosage-mortality curves, are expressed in Table II.

Housefly [Musca domestica]:

(a) Contact: Test compounds were diluted in acetone and aliquots pipetted onto the bottom of aluminum dishes. To ensure even spreading of the chemical on the bottom of the dishes, 1 ml of acetone containing 0.01% peanut oil was also added to each dish. After all solvents had evaporated, the dishes were placed in circular cardboard cages containing 25 female houseflies, 1-2 days old. The cages were covered on the bottom with cellophane and on the top with tulle netting, and each contained a sugar-water saturated cotton plug for maintenance of the flies. Mortality was recorded after 48 hours. Test levels ranged from 100 ug/25 female houseflies downward The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "HF-C", in terms of ug of the test compound per 25 female flies.

(b) Fumigant: Test compounds were diluted in acetone and aliquots pipetted onto 55 millimeter (mm) filter paper discs in the bottom of aluminum dishes. Immediately after the acetone had completely evaporated the dishes were placed in circular cardboard cages (volume-285 ml) containing 25 female housflies. The cages were sealed on both ends with cellophane and each contained a sugar-water saturated cotton plug for maintenance of the flies. A piece of netting was placed over the aluminum dish in the cage in such a way that the flies were unable to come into direct contact with the chemically treated filter paper. Mortality was recorded after 48 hours. Test levels ranged from 100 ug/25 female houseflies downward. The LD-50 values are expressed in the following Table II under the heading "HF-F", in terms of ug of the test compound per 25 female houseflies per 285 ml volume of the test container.

Black Bean Aphid [Aphis fabae (Scop.)]:

Nasturtium plants (Tropaeolum sp.) approximately 5 cm tall, were transplanted into sandy loam soil in small cups and infested with 25-50 black bean aphids of mixed ages. Twenty-four hours later they were sprayed to the point of runoff with 50--50 acetone-water solutions of the test compounds. Treated plants were held in the greenhouse and mortality was recorded after 48 hours. Test concentrations ranged from 0.05% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "BA-C" in terms of percent of the test compound in the sprayed solution.

Tobacco Budworm [Heliothis virescens (Fabricius)]:

(a) Contact: Test compounds were diluted in a 50--50 acetone-water solution. Cotton (Gossypium sp.) cotyledons were immersed in the test solutions for 2-3 seconds and placed on a wire screen to dry. The dried leaves were placed in petri dishes containing a moistened piece of filter paper and infested with 5 second-instar tobacco budworm larvae. The dishes were placed in a high humidity chamber for 5 days, and percent mortality of the larvae recorded. Test concentrations ranged from 0.1% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "TBW-C" in terms of percent of the test compound in the solution.

(b) Eggs: Paper towel patches of 2-day old eggs of the tobacco budworm were dipped in acetone solutions of the test compounds and placed in petri dishes containing a portion of larval rearing medium. Treated eggs were maintained at 78° F. and mortality was recorded after all control eggs had hatched and the young larvae were feeding on the media. Test concentrations ranged from 0.1% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "TBW-E" in terms of percent of the test compound in the solution.

Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua):

Test compounds were diluted in a 50--50 acetone-water solution. Young leaves of sugar beets (Beta vulgaris) were immersed in the test solutions for 2-3 seconds and placed on a wire screen to dry. The dried leaves were placed in petri dishes containing a moistened filter paper and infested with five second-instar beet armyworm larvae. The dishes were placed in a high humidity chamber. Mortality of the larvae was recorded five days later. Test concentrations ranged from 0.1% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "BAW" in terms of percent of the test compound in solution.

Cabbage Looper (Trichoplusia ni (Hubner)]:

Test compounds were diluted in a 50--50 acetone-water solution. Cotyledons of hyzini squash (Calabacita abobrinha), approximately 1×1.5 inches, were immersed in the test solutions for 2-3 seconds and placed on a wire screen to dry. The dried leaves were placed in petri dishes containing a moistened piece of filter paper and infested with 5 second-instar cabbage looper larvae. The dishes were placed in a high humidity chamber. Mortality of the larvae was recorded 5 days later. Test concentrationsranged from 0.1% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "CL" in terms of percent of the test compound in this solution.

Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle Larvae [Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata (Mannherheim)]:

Ten grams of moist potting soil was placed in a plastic cup. Test compounds were dissolved in acetone or an other appropriate solvent. A 0.05 ml aliquot of the test sample, diluted to the desired concentration, was added to the soil. The cup was capped and the soil was mixed on a vortex mixer for approximately 15 seconds. An indentation was made on the surface of the soil and approximately 50 Diabrotica eggs were added. The eggs were covered with soil and maintained at room temperature (approximately 70° F. or 21° C.). Four days later a section of Romaine lettuce (Latuca sativa) leaf was placed in the treated cups. One week later the cups were examined for live larvae. Test concentrations ranged from 25 ppm downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the heading "Diabrotica" in terms of ppm of the test compound in the soil.

Acaricidal Evaluation Test

The two-spotted mite (2SM) [Tetranychus urticae (Koch)] was employed in tests for miticides. The test procedure was as follows:

Pinto bean plants (Phaseolus sp.) approximately 10 cm tall, were transplanted into sandy loam soil in 3-inch clay pots and thoroughly infested with two-spotted mites of mixed ages and sexes. Twenty-four hours later the infested plants were inverted and dipped for 2-3 seconds in 50--50 acetone-water solutions of the test compounds. Treated plants were held in the greenhouse, and 7 days later mortality was determined for both adult mites and the nymphus hatching from eggs which were on the plants at the time of treatment. Test concentrations ranged from 0.05% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table II under the headings "2SM-A" (i.e., adults) and "2SM-E" (i.e. eggs) in terms of percent concentration of the test compound in the solution.

Systemic Evaluation Test

This test evaluates the root adsorption and upward translocation of the candidate systemic compound. The two-spotted mite (2SM) [Tetranychus urticae (Koch)] and the bean aphid (BA) [Aphis fabae (Scop.)] were employed in the test for systemic activity. Tests were conducted as follows;

Two-Spotted Mite:

Test compounds were dissolved in acetone and aliquots diluted in 200 ml of water in glass bottles. Two pinto bean plants (Phaseolus sp.), with expanded primary leaves, were supported in each bottle by cotton plugs so that their roots and stems were immersed in the treated water. The plants were then infested with 75-100 two-spotted mites of various ages and sexes. One week later the mortality of the adult mites and nymphs was recorded. Test concentration of the chemicals in the water ranged from 10 ppm downward. The LD-50 values are expressed in Table II under the heading "2-SM (S)" in terms of ppm of the test compound in the solution.

Black Bean Aphid [Aphis fabae (Scop.)]

Nasturtium plants (Tropaeolum sp.), approximately 5 cm tall, were transplanted into 400 grams of sandy loam soil in one pint containers. Test chemicals were dissolved in acetone and aliquots diluted in 50-60 ml of water. The treated water was poured onto the surface of the soil and allowed to thoroughly soak in. The treated plants were infested with 25-50 black bean aphids of mixed ages and held in the greenhouse. Mortality was recorded after three days. Test concentrations ranged from 10 ppm down to that at which 50% mortality occurs. The LD-50 values are expressed in Table II under the heading "BA(S)" in terms of ppm of the test compound in the solution.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     (LD.sub.50)                                                                    Cmpd.                                                                              HF, ug    BA       2-SM          TBW, %    BAW,  CL, Diabrotica,           No. C     F*  C, % S, ppm                                                                             A, % S, ppm                                                                             E, % C     E   %     %   ppm                   __________________________________________________________________________                                                              (soil)                1   31    --  0.003                                                                               6   >0.05                                                                               --  0.03 0.007 <0.1                                                                               --    --  7.5                   2   30    30  0.003                                                                               --  0.05 --  0.05 0.03  0.006                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              0.35                  3   71    --  0.006                                                                               3   0.006                                                                               --  0.03 0.005 <0.1                                                                               --    --  4                     4   30    --  0.01 --  0.003                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.01  0.02                                                                               >0.1  0.03                                                                               7.5                   5   29    --  0.01 --  0.001                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.005 0.006                                                                              >0.1  0.03                                                                               17                    6   14    --  0.006                                                                               6   0.003                                                                               --  0.03 >0.1  <0.1                                                                               >0.1  --  0.75                  7   9      7  0.03 6   0.05 --  >0.05                                                                               0.08  0.02                                                                               0.03  0.006                                                                              0.3                   8   19    29  0.03 --  0.03 --  >0.05                                                                               0.07  0.05                                                                               >0.1  0.03                                                                               17                    9   33    --  0.05 --  >0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.01                                                                               0.03  0.006                                                                              0.75                  10  86    --  0.001                                                                               3   0.003                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.02                                                                               0.03  0.03                                                                               2                     11  >100  --  0.006                                                                               --  0.03 --  >0.05                                                                               0.1   0.03                                                                               --    --  7.5                   12  33    30  0.002                                                                               6   0.01 --  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.006                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              2                     13  28    29  0.002                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               --  0.03 0.03  0.02                                                                               0.04  0.03                                                                               0.75                  14  7.5   26  0.002                                                                               6   0.006                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.007                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              0.25                  15  <100  --  <0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               --    --  --    --  <25                   16  <100  --  0.002                                                                               3   0.006                                                                               --  0.03 --    0.02                                                                               --    --  3                     17  30    30  0.01 3   0.01 --  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.01                                                                               0.03  0.007                                                                              0.75                  18  30    30  0.002                                                                               6   0.001                                                                               --  0.03 0.08  0.03                                                                               0.1   0.03                                                                               0.75                  19  2      3  0.01 6   >0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.1   0.07                                                                               --    --  3                     20  <100  --  0.01 10  0.03 --  0.03 --    --  --    --  3                     21  <100  --  0.01 6   0.01 10  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.007                                                                              0.03  0.03                                                                               2                     22  <100  --  0.002                                                                               3   0.002                                                                               --  0.03 0.006 0.004                                                                              0.006 0.006                                                                              0.75                  23  3.4   3   0.006                                                                               --  0.03 --  >0.05                                                                               >0.1  >0.1                                                                               --    --  7.5                   24  3.3     3.4                                                                              0.006                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               --  0.03 0.03  0.006                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              0.75                  25  >100  --  0.002                                                                               --  0.002                                                                               --  0.03 0.006 0.007                                                                              0.075 0.006                                                                              7.5                   26  <100  --  0.01 6   0.03 --  >0.05                                                                               0.03  0.004                                                                              0.01  0.006                                                                              2                     27  <100  --  0.05 6   0.003                                                                               --  0.03 0.03  0.007                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              0.75                  28  <100  --  0.003                                                                               3   0.003                                                                               --  0.03 <0.1  <0.1                                                                               --    --  <25                   29  <100  --  0.01 6   0.003                                                                               --  0.002                                                                               0.025 0.06                                                                               >0.1  0.03                                                                               17                    30  <100  --  0.003                                                                               3   0.01 --  0.003                                                                               0.075 0.1 0.1   0.05                                                                               7.5                   31  <100  --  0.05 --  >0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               >0.1  >0.1                                                                               --    --  <25                   32  <100  --  >0.05                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               --  0.01 >0.1  0.076                                                                              --    --  17                    33  <100  --  >0.05                                                                               --  0.05 --  0.006                                                                               >0.1  >0.1                                                                               --    --  7.5                   34  <100  --  0.003                                                                               6   0.002                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               <0.1  0.001                                                                              0.008 0.002                                                                              0.4                   35  <100  --  0.002                                                                               6   0.002                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               0.03  0.007                                                                              0.04  0.002                                                                              2                     36  <100  --  0.003                                                                               6   0.03 --  >0.05                                                                               <0.1  >0.1                                                                               >0.1  >0.1                                                                               17                    37  <100  --  0.003                                                                               6   0.03 --  0.05 >0.1  >0.1                                                                               >0.1  0.1 >25                   38  >100  --  0.006                                                                               --  0.05 --  >0.05                                                                               >0.1  >0.1                                                                               >0.1  0.1 >25                   39  <100  --  0.01 10  >0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.075 0.022                                                                              >0.1  0.1 7.5                   40  >100  --  <0.05                                                                               --  0.008                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               <0.003                                                                               <0.005                                                                             0.006 <0.003                                                                             2                     41  <100  --  0.001                                                                               1   0.006                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               0.002 0.002                                                                              0.006 0.002                                                                              3                     42  <100  --  0.006                                                                               6   0.003                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               0.03  0.01                                                                               0.03  0.007                                                                              3                     43  <100  --  0.003                                                                               6   0.006                                                                               --  0.03 0.007 0.008                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              7.5                   44  <100  --  0.006                                                                               --  0.006                                                                               --  0.006                                                                               >0.1  >0.1                                                                               --    --  >25                   45  <100  --  0.002                                                                               --  0.001                                                                               --  0.001                                                                               0.03  >0.1                                                                               0.01  0.03                                                                               17                    46  <100  --  0.0006                                                                              1   0.0006                                                                              --  0.0003                                                                              0.03  >0.1                                                                               0.03  0.006                                                                              2                     47  <100  --  0.001                                                                               2   0.003                                                                               --  0.03 0.08  0.03                                                                               0.1   0.08                                                                               7.5                   48  <100  --  0.006                                                                               6   0.002                                                                               --  0.006                                                                               0.006 0.006                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              2                     49  <100  --  0.003                                                                               3   0.0003                                                                              --  0.03 0.006 0.03                                                                               0.01  0.03                                                                               3                     50  31    64  0.05 --  0.006                                                                               --  0.03 >0.1  0.1 --    --  >25                   51  30    30  <0.05                                                                               --  0.001                                                                               --  0.03 0.03  0.02                                                                               0.03  0.005                                                                              2                     52  >100  --  --   --  >0.05                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               0.007 0.008                                                                              0.006 0.006                                                                              0.75                  53  25    30  0.05 8   0.002                                                                               --  0.03 0.006 0.007                                                                              0.009 0.006                                                                              0.75                  54  26    30  --   --  0.01 --  0.03 0.06  0.01                                                                               0.06  0.02                                                                               0.75                  55  7.6   30  --   --  0.003                                                                               --  0.03 0.02  0.005                                                                              0.04  0.009                                                                              0.75                  56  9     24  --   --  0.01 --  0.05 0.03  0.004                                                                              0.075 0.006                                                                              0.75                  57  52    --  --   --  0.002                                                                               --  0.05 0.002 0.005                                                                              0.004 0.002                                                                              2                     58  >100  --  --   --  0.003                                                                               --  0.006                                                                               0.006 0.02                                                                               0.006 <0.003                                                                             17                    59  85    --  --   --  0.01 --  0.03 <0.003                                                                               0.024                                                                              0.03  0.006                                                                              17                    60  30    51  0.006                                                                               8   <0.001                                                                              --  0.03 0.01  <0.1                                                                               0.04  0.03                                                                               2                     61  >100  --  0.006                                                                               --  0.006                                                                               --  >0.05                                                                               <0.1  >0.1                                                                               --    --  <25                   62  40    --  0.006                                                                               --  0.002                                                                               --  0.006                                                                               0.006 0.002                                                                              0.005 0.002                                                                              3                     63  56    --  0.0006                                                                              --  0.0006                                                                              --  0.006                                                                               0.03  0.01                                                                               0.01  0.007                                                                              17                    64  16    <50--                                                                              0.003                                                                               6   0.01 --  0.01 <0.1  0.01          0.3                   65  <100  --  0.003                                                                               --  0.003                                                                               --  0.01 0.025 0.023                                                                              0.025 0.004                                                                              7.5                   66  <100  --  <0.05                                                                               --  <0.05                                                                               --  <0.05                                                                               <0.1  <0.1                                __________________________________________________________________________

Selected compounds were evaluated on three other insects--the aster leafhopper, German cockroach and lygus bug, by the following procedures.

Aster Leafhopper [Macrosteles fascifrons (Stal)]:

Oat seedlings (Aena sp.) were grown in a commercial potting soil in plastic cups. When the plants were approximately 10 cm tall they were thinned to 3 plants per cup and dipped for 2-3 seconds in 50--50 acetone-water solutions of the test compounds. When the plants had dried, a clear plastic tube was placed over them and the bottom end pressed into the cup. Ten aster leafhopper adults/nymphs were then placed in each tube and the tops of the tubes covered with white organdy cloth. Mortality counts were made after 48 hours. Test concentrations ranged from 0.05% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table III under the heading "LH" in terms of percent of the test compound in the solution.

German Cockroach [Blatella germanica (Linn.)]:

Test compounds were diluted in a 50--50 acetone-water solution. Two ml of the solution was sprayed through a hand spray gun into circular cardboard cages containing 10 one-month old German cockroach nymphs. The test cages were covered on the bottom with callophane and on the top with tulle netting. Percent mortality was recorded 4 days later. Test concentrations ranged from 0.1% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table III under the heading "GR" in terms of percent of the test compound in the sprayed solution.

Lygus Bug [Lygus hesperus (Knight)]:

Test compounds were diluted in a 50--50 acetone-water solution. Two ml of the solution was sprayed through a hand spray gun into circular cardboard cages containing one green bean pod and 10 adult lygus bugs. The test cages were covered on the bottom with cellophane and on the top with tulle netting. Percent mortality was recorded 48 hours later. Test concentrations ranged from 0.05% downward. The LD-50 values are expressed below in Table III under the heading "LB" in terms of percent of the test compound in the sprayed solution.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                         (LD-50)                                                                        Compound No. LH, %       GR, %   LB, %                                         ______________________________________                                          2           --          0.03    0.03                                           4            0.002      0.003    0.006                                         5           --          0.003   0.02                                           8           0.03        --      --                                            10           0.01        --      --                                            11           0.03        0.04    0.06                                          13           0.03        0.037   0.01                                          14           0.03        --      --                                            17            0.006      >0.1    0.05                                          24            0.006      0.02     0.003                                        ______________________________________                                    

Soil Residual Control of Diabrotica

Test compounds showing good control of Diabrotica in the evaluation procedures were submitted for evaluation of residual control of this insect. Compounds 2, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 14 were evaluated at concentrations of 2 ppm in the soil. Other compounds were evaluated at concentrations of approximately twice the demonstrated LD-50 in the earlier tests.

Test compounds were incorporated into 200 g of soil at the indicated concentrations. The soils were maintained at a constant soil moisture in the greenhouse. At weekly intervals, 10-gram samples were taken and placed in a small cup. An indentation was made on the soil surface and approximately 50 Diabrotica eggs were added, covered with soil, and the cup covered. A piece of Romaine lettuce was added four days later. The cups were examined for live larvae one week later.

Table IV indicates the number of weeks of Diabrotica control (50% mortality) exhibited by test compounds at the indicated concentrations.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         Compound No. ppm    Control of Diabrotica, Weeks                               ______________________________________                                          2           2      13                                                          6           2      2                                                           7           2      9                                                           9           2      8                                                          12           2      0                                                          13           1.5    <2                                                         14           2      14                                                         17           3      3                                                          18           3      4                                                          22           1.5    4                                                          24           1.5    <2                                                         26           4      5                                                          27           1.5    <2                                                         34           0.8    <2                                                         35           4      7                                                          55           1.5    7                                                          56           1.5    6                                                          ______________________________________                                    

In practice, a pure compound can be used as an insecticide. However, in general, the compounds are first formulated with one or more inert (i.e. non-chemically reactive, plant compatible or herbicidally inert) carriers or diluents suitable for insecticidal use, before being applied.

The compositions or formulations, including a compound as described herein, may take any one of a number of solid or liquid forms. Examples of solid forms are dusts, granules, tablets, powders and the like. Examples of liquid forms are emulsions, solutions, suspensions, flowables, emulsifiable concentrates and pastes. Such compositions may contain, in addition to the active compound or compounds, various carriers of diluents; surface-active agents (wetting agents, dispersing agents and/or emulsifying agents); solvents (water, or organic solvents such as aromatic solvents or chlorinated aliphatic solvents); adhesives; thickeners; binders; anti-foaming agents; and other substances as mentioned herein.

Solid carriers or diluents included in such compositions or formulations may include, for example, ground natural minerals such as kaolins, alumina, calcium carbonate, silica, kieselguhr, clays, etc.; ground synthetic minerals such as various silicates and aluminosilicates and ground vegetable products such as bark, cornmeal, sawdust, cellulose powder and the like.

To manufacture solid compositions, the active substances are mixed with solid carriers or diluents such as those mentioned above and the mixture is ground to the appropriate size. Granules can be manufactured by dissolving an active compound in an organic solvent and applying the mixture, for example, by atomization, onto an absorptive granulated inert material, such as silica. Adhesives may be utilized to assist in the incorporation of the compound onto the solid particles.

Wettable powders and pastes are obtained by mixing and grinding an active compound with one or more dispersing agents and/or solid carriers or diluents. Also included may be wetting agents and/or dispersing agents, for example, lignins, methyl cellulose, naphthalenesulfonic acid derivatives, fatty alcohol sulfates and various types of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of fatty acids.

Emulsifiable concentrates are generally obtained by dissolving the active compound in an organic solvent, for example, butanol, cyclohexanone, xylenes, or higher boiling aromatic hydrocarbons. To obtain suspensions or emulsions in water, wetting agents may also be added.

Flowables are prepared by mixing an active compound with one or more dispersing agents and/or solid additives, and a liquid (which may be water or an organic solvent) in which the active compound is relatively insoluble, and grinding the mixture.

Both liquid and solid compositions may be in microcapsule or encapsulated form, to permit release of the enclosed active compound at a controlled rate over a period of time. Liquid compositions of this type contain encapsulated droplets of approximately 1-50 microns in diameter, including the active compound and optionally a solvent. The encapsulating material is an inert porous membrane of a polymeric material.

Solid encapsulated compositions generally take the form of granules, in which the liquid containing the active component is trapped in the pores of the granular support by a porous polymeric membrane through which the active ingredient may migrate at a controlled rate, or which membrane breaks down at a controlled rate to permit escape of the active ingredient.

Typical encapsulating materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, cellulosic materials, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyisocyanates, polyurethanes, mixed copolymers of the foregoing and starch xanthates.

It is possible to use highly concentrated liquid compositions containing up to about 95% by weight of the active compound, or even the 100% active compound alone, when applying the compound in the form of a finely divided liquid by use of various atomizing equipment, for example by airplane spraying techniques. For other purposes, however, the various types of compositions which can be utilized for these compounds will contain varying amounts of the compound according to the type of composition and the intended use.

In general, insecticidal compositions may contain from 5 to 95% of the active compound, more preferably from 10 to 85%. Some typical compositions will contain an active compound as follows: wettable powders: 25 to 80% active compound; oil suspensions, emulsions, solutions, flowables, and emulsifiable concentrates: 5 to 85% active compound; aqueous suspensions: 20 to 50% active compound; dusts and powders: 5 to 20% active compound; granules and pellets: 5 to 20% active compound.

In addition to the active compound and the various agents utilized in preparing compositions and formulations mentioned, such compositions may also contain one or more other active compounds of the type mentioned herein as well as other active pesticidal agents, such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematocides, bactericides, and plant growth regulators. Such compounds may also contain soil disinfectants or fumigants and may further contain fertilizers, thus making it possible to provide multi-purpose compositions containing one or more of the active compounds described herein as well as, optionally, other pesticides and also fertilizers, all intended and formulated for use at the same locus.

Control of insect pests is accomplished by applying a composition containing an insecticidally effective amount of an active compound as described herein to the insect, to a locus at which insecticidal control is desired, or to food sources (including seeds) on which the insects feed. For use in the last mentioned manner it is preferable to utilize a compound which is not volatile. Thus, control may be achieved by direct application of the active compounds to the insects and indirectly by application of the compounds to a locus to be protected (such as crop lands, grass ranges and forests), to a source of food for insects or to other insect habitats (for example, breeding or swarming areas). The rates of application of the active compound, and the concentration applied, will vary according to whether the compound or composition is being directly applied to the insect or indirectly, to a locus, food or habitat. In the latter case the rate of the application, depending on the nature of the insect or insects to be controlled, and the plant environment, will generally vary from about 0.01 to about 100 pounds per acre (about 0.011 to about 112 kg/ha).

It should be noted that the active compound need not be insecticidally active per se to effect insect control. The purposes of this invention are fully served if such compounds are rendered active by external influences, such as light or heat, or by some physiological action which occurs when the compound is ingested into the body of the insect.

Compositions containing one or more of the active compounds described, in an insecticidally effective amount, may be applied to the plant, locus or insect habitat in any conventional manner.

When used in connection with crop or other plant protection, application may be made in a preventive (i.e. before infestation) or eradicative manner (i.e., after infestation). Thus, powders and various liquid compositions containing the active compound can be applied by the use of power dusters, boom and hand sprayers and spray dusters, or applied from airplanes as dusts or sprays. When applied in the latter method they may be effective in very low dosages.

Compositions including active compounds may also be applied by addition to irrigation waters supplied to the field to be treated. This method of application permits penetration of the compounds into the soil as the water is absorbed therein.

Compositions including active compounds may additionally be used to protect plant seeds from being attacked by soil-borne insect pests after planting and during germination, by applying the composition to the seeds as a seed dressing. This is performed generally by mixing the seeds with an active composition in either liquid or solid form (preferably liquid) in a suitable mixing apparatus. Liquid compositions for this purpose may contain an adhesive or sticking agent, such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, etc., to assist the composition in adhering to the seed. If a solid composition is utilized for this purpose, an adhesive agent may be sprayed on the seeds during or after mixing.

For use as a soil insecticide, the active compound, or compositions containing it, may be mixed with the soil in any conventional manner, before, during or after planting of the plant seeds. Liquid compositions may be applied by spraying onto the surface or by incorporation in irrigation or sprayed water. Solid or liquid compositions containing an active compound may be incorporated into the soil prior to or during planting by discing, plowing or other mixing operations, in order to locate the active ingredient below the surface of the soil so as to be most effective in controlling undesirable larvae.

Some examples of compositions containing the active compounds of this invention are:

    ______________________________________                                         Component           Weight %                                                   ______________________________________                                         Composition A: Wettable Powder                                                 Compound 1          80                                                         wetting agent (sodium dialkyl-                                                                      1                                                         naphthalene sulfonate)                                                         dispersing agent (sodium                                                                            4                                                         lignosulfonate)                                                                diluent (aluminum magnesium                                                                        15                                                         silicate)           15                                                         Total                100%                                                      Composition B: Granular Solid                                                  Compound 2          10                                                         calcined diatomaceous earth                                                                        85                                                         granules                                                                       triethylene glycol   5                                                         Total                100%                                                      Composition C: Dilute Solution                                                 Compound 14          5                                                         solvent (xylene)    95                                                         Total                100%                                                      Composition D: Emulsifiable Concentrate                                        Compound 23         50                                                         Emulsifier (blend of metal                                                                         10                                                         sulfonates and polyoxy-                                                        ethylene ethers)                                                               solvent (xylene)    40                                                         Total                100%                                                      Composition E: Concentrated Solution                                           Compound 38         90                                                         solvent (xylene)    10                                                         Total                100%                                                      ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound having the formula ##STR8## in which R₁ is methyl or ethyl;R₂ is C₄ -C₆ branched alkyl or C₅ -C₆ cycloalkyl; R₃ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R₄ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, halogen or halo-(C₁ -C₄ alkyl); and R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl or phenyl; or R₃ and R₅ taken together form a trimethylene ring;provided that: (a) if R₃, R₅ and R₆ are each hydrogen, then R₄ is not hydrogen; (b) if R₄ is hydrogen, then R₅ and R₆ are not both C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and (c) if R₄ is halogen, then R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen or halogen.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl, halogen or phenyl, and R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen or halogen, or R₃ and R₅ taken together form a trimethylene group.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 in which R₅ and R₆ are both halogen.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₂ is α,α-doubly branched C₄ -C₆ alkyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is C₁ -C₃ alkyl or halogen, and R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 in which R₄ is methyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 4 in which R₄ is chloro.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 in which:R₃ is hydrogen; R₄ is hydrogen, phenyl or halogen; and R₅ and R₆ are C₁ -C₄ alkyl, halogen, phenyl or hydrogen;provided that: if R₄ is hydrogen, then R₅ and R₆ are not both hydrogen; if R₄ is hydrogen, then R₅ and R₆ are not both C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and if R₄ is halogen, R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen or halogen.
 8. A compound according to claim 7 in which:R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen, halogen, phenyl or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and R₆ is halogen, phenyl, or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; provided that R₅ and R₆ are not both C₁ -C₄ alkyl.
 9. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tertiary butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen and R₅ and R₆ are both chloro.
 10. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tertiary butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is phenyl and R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.
 11. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tertiary butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is fluoro and R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.
 12. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tertiary butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro and R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.
 13. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tertiary butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is phenyl and R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.
 14. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₃, R₅ and R₆ are all hydrogen.
 15. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₃ is hydrogen.
 16. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 17. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is chloro.
 18. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is methyl.
 19. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 20. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is bromo, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 21. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ and R₅ taken together from a trimethylene group and R₄ and R₆ are hydrogen.
 22. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is methyl.
 23. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is isopropyl, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 24. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 25. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 26. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is hydrogen.
 27. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is methyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is methyl, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is methyl.
 28. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is chloro.
 29. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is neopentyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 30. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is ethyl.
 31. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is phenyl.
 32. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is methyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 33. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 34. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is methyl, R₂ is 1,2-dimethylpropyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 35. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is chloro.
 36. A compound according to claim 1 in which R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is chloro.
 37. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is chloro and R₆ is chloro.
 38. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is chloro and R₆ is chloro.
 39. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is n-propyl and R₆ is hydrogen.
 40. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is n-propyl.
 41. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is cyclohexyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 42. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is cyclopentyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 43. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is methyl and R₆ is chloro.
 44. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is 1,2-dimethylpropyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is isopropyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 45. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is isopropyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 46. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is isopropyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 47. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is cyclopentyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 48. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is ethyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 49. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 50. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is 1,1-dimethylpropyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 51. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is 1,1-dimethylpropyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 52. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is 1,1-dimethylpropyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is methyl, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is hydrogen.
 53. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is chloro, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is chloro.
 54. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is tert-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen, and R₆ is phenyl.
 55. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is methyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen and R₆ is phenyl.
 56. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is sec-butyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is chloro and R₆ is chloro.
 57. A compound acccording to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is 2-methylbutyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is chloro and R₆ is chloro.
 58. An insecticidal composition comprising(a) an insecticidally effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 1; and (b) an insecticidally suitable inert diluent or carrier.
 59. A method for inhibiting or controlling insects comprising applying to an insect, the locus of an insect, or a locus at which insecticidal control is desired, an insecticidally effective amount of a compound having the formula ##STR9## in which R₁ is methyl or ethyl;R₂ is C₄ -C₆ branched alkyl or C₅ -C₆ cycloalkyl; R₃ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R₄ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, halogen or halo-(C₁ -C₄ alkyl); and R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl or phenyl; or R₃ and R₅ taken together form a trimethylene ring;provided that: (a) if R₃, R₅ and R₆ are each hydrogen, then R₄ is not hydrogen; (b) if R₄ is hydrogen, then R₅ and R₆ are not both C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and (c) if R₄ is halogen, then R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen or halogen.
 60. A method according to claim 59 in which R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl, halogen or phenyl, and R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen or halogen, or R₃ and R₅ taken together form a trimethylene group.
 61. A method according to claim 60 in which R₅ and R₆ are both halogen.
 62. A method according to claim 61 in which the compound is applied to soil in which crops are grown to protect said crops from attack by soil-borne insects.
 63. A method according to claim 62 in which the insect to be controlled or inhibited is of the genus Diabrotica.
 64. A method according to claim 59 in which R₂ is α,α-doubly branched C₄ -C₆ alkyl, R₃ is hydrogen, R₄ is C₁ -C₃ alkyl or halogen, and R₅ and R₆ are both hydrogen.
 65. A method according to claim 64 in which R₄ is methyl.
 66. A method according to claim 64 in which R₄ is chloro.
 67. A method according to claim 59 in which:R₃ is hydrogen; R₄ is hydrogen, phenyl or halogen; and R₅ and R₆ are C₁ -C₄ alkyl, halogen, phenyl or hydrogen;provided that: if R₄ is hydrogen, then R₅ and R₆ are not both hydrogen; if R₄ is hydrogen, then R₅ and R₆ are not both C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and if R₄ is halogen, R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen or halogen.
 68. A method according to claim 67 in which:R₄ is hydrogen, R₅ is hydrogen, halogen, phenyl or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and R₆ is halogen, phenyl, or C₁ -C₄ alkyl;provided that R₅ and R₆ are not both C₁ -C₄ alkyl. 